I was sitting in Sunday morning adult bible class a couple weeks ago behind a new family that had recently started attending church with us. This new family has two very small children. Since it was class time, the children were in their own bible classes. As I sat behind this new mom and dad, I saw something that made me take notice. As we all sat in our pews, a distant cry was heard from behind us. Now, our congregation has been blessed with lots of new babies---(along with holy ground, I think we are built on fertile ground:).
My point is that with so many babies around, you would think it would be difficult to tell the cries apart. A cry is a cry ...right? Well, no, not at all. As I sat behind this new mom and dad--as soon as the first whimper of a cry was heard, this Dad looked at the mom raised his eyebrows and she gave a nod of agreement. The dad got up and returned with his young baby still sniffing from his latest cry. I smiled and found it fascinating that this dad and mom could discern their own baby's cry for them from among all the other cries that come from the nursery.
There is an amazing parallel there that we should not miss. Our heavenly Father hears when His children cry too. Among all the noise and chaos in the world, our cries for help come through to Him loud and clear. Recall Matthew 7:11---"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
Whether it's cancer, loss of job, fear of the future or other worry, we have certainty that just as we hear and take care of our own children, when we cry out to our Father, we can be certain He hears us and will comfort and give us peace if we trust and believe in Him.
God Bless!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Give A Little---Get A Lot!
Based on a true story......Her husband walked out on her, leaving her a single mom with two boys, Ben (11) and Thomas (3). With no support from the dad, she struggles to pay the bills. That's just the beginning for this life weary mom. Thomas has been "acting out" in school and she's had to attend meetings with the pre school teachers. The temperatures outside at night have been in the teens and she has no heat in her home. With a myriad of her own illnesses to deal with, she often forgoes her needed medication to pay bills and provide for her two boys.
She feels like throwing in the towel, but she can't, she won't. Too much is on the line. She buys one present for each son every Christmas, but always sets aside a small amount for the boys to use to buy a present for someone else who is in need. She wonders if she's doing the right thing, if she's making a difference in these boy's lives. She explained to Ben that Christmas might be slim this year. Ben turns to her and with a bright smile and understanding eyes he says, " That's okay mom, Christmas is about the family and we'll be together and that's what matters." She smiles and turns her head to conceal the tears flowing down her cheeks. Thank you God, thank you for that...I needed that so badly she whispers in prayer as she dries her face and readies her smile.
We all have struggles. When our health fails, we turn inward and focus on ourselves too much. When we focus on helping others, we suddenly forget about ourselves. Look around this week and I guarantee there is someone that is struggling that you know. Call them, drop them a gift card in the mail, have a gift delivered to their house anonymously, take them to lunch, just do something. Be a servant and be a friend....it's amazing what you get when you give all you can!
She feels like throwing in the towel, but she can't, she won't. Too much is on the line. She buys one present for each son every Christmas, but always sets aside a small amount for the boys to use to buy a present for someone else who is in need. She wonders if she's doing the right thing, if she's making a difference in these boy's lives. She explained to Ben that Christmas might be slim this year. Ben turns to her and with a bright smile and understanding eyes he says, " That's okay mom, Christmas is about the family and we'll be together and that's what matters." She smiles and turns her head to conceal the tears flowing down her cheeks. Thank you God, thank you for that...I needed that so badly she whispers in prayer as she dries her face and readies her smile.
We all have struggles. When our health fails, we turn inward and focus on ourselves too much. When we focus on helping others, we suddenly forget about ourselves. Look around this week and I guarantee there is someone that is struggling that you know. Call them, drop them a gift card in the mail, have a gift delivered to their house anonymously, take them to lunch, just do something. Be a servant and be a friend....it's amazing what you get when you give all you can!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Might As Well Laugh As To Cry!!
The title to this entry is a line from a grandmother of one of my good friends who is going through a tough time in his life. He is facing a really tough situation, but whenever I see him, he is smiling and keeps a good attitude. I asked him how he does it and he cited his faith, friends, keeping busy, and this motto from his grandmother that sticks with him every day. We aren't promised things will be perfect in this world, but we can still have joy and our attitude makes all the difference in the world.
I'm reminded of Proverbs 23:7 where it says...."As he thinks in his heart, so is he." What we think affects our lives. You can change your life by changing the way you think. No matter how bad our situation is, we still have so many things to be thankful for and no doubt we know someone who has things much worse than we do.
If you are thinking about good things, then you can't think about bad things....your mind can only hold one thought at a time. It takes some training of the mind, but eventually it becomes easy and second nature. Pay attention to your thoughts the next time you are in a conversation. Are they negative or positive? Make a conscious effort to only say positive things. You will find that not only will you be happier, but you will notice others will seem happier around you and your effect on their lives can be greater. Remember no one likes to hang around a "Debbie Downer." For those of us who have or are enduring a cancer diagnosis, this is especially true. We MUST look for the nuggets of positivity and dwell on those thoughts.
So, around this hustle and bustle holiday time, make the effort to think and be positive. You'll be amazed at the results. Like a ship's rudder, attitude is a small thing that makes a huge difference!!!
I'm reminded of Proverbs 23:7 where it says...."As he thinks in his heart, so is he." What we think affects our lives. You can change your life by changing the way you think. No matter how bad our situation is, we still have so many things to be thankful for and no doubt we know someone who has things much worse than we do.
If you are thinking about good things, then you can't think about bad things....your mind can only hold one thought at a time. It takes some training of the mind, but eventually it becomes easy and second nature. Pay attention to your thoughts the next time you are in a conversation. Are they negative or positive? Make a conscious effort to only say positive things. You will find that not only will you be happier, but you will notice others will seem happier around you and your effect on their lives can be greater. Remember no one likes to hang around a "Debbie Downer." For those of us who have or are enduring a cancer diagnosis, this is especially true. We MUST look for the nuggets of positivity and dwell on those thoughts.
So, around this hustle and bustle holiday time, make the effort to think and be positive. You'll be amazed at the results. Like a ship's rudder, attitude is a small thing that makes a huge difference!!!
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